Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC) AMCA Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of physical restraints in patient care?

1. To confine a person to a bed or chair

2. To promote patient mobility

3. To enhance comfort and relaxation

4. To facilitate medication administration

The correct answer is: To confine a person to a bed or chair

The primary purpose of physical restraints in patient care is to reduce the risk of harm to patients or others by restricting a person's movement when necessary. When a patient poses a danger to themselves or requires prevention from interfering with their treatment, restraint may be used as a safety measure. This can include instances where a patient may be at risk of falling, harming themselves, or disrupting medical procedures. While options that suggest promoting mobility, enhancing comfort, or facilitating medication administration can be components of overall patient care, they do not accurately reflect the main intent behind the use of restraints. Restraints are not meant to confine individuals for punitive reasons or for the convenience of staff but instead act as a safeguard in specific situations where maintaining safety is crucial. Thus, the focus on preventing injury and ensuring immediate safety highlights why the correct answer emphasizes confinement for safety purposes rather than other objectives.